Calling all Katahdin Boot fans... in case you're interested Chippewa has a new heritage boot line called "Original Chippewa" featuring the Katahdin and other vintage boot designs from their archives, all in upgraded leathers. You can follow the thread we've got going on the new line right here:

Do the non-rubber ones hold up pretty well in snow and slush if properly treated? Do they leak? I do a lot of walking (and shoveling) in the snow and slush here in the winter. Basically I'd like to know if I'll regret standing in 6 inches of snow for a few minutes in the cork ones or should I seriously consider the rubber ones or some more hardcore work boots.

Do the non-rubber ones hold up pretty well in snow and slush if properly treated? Do they leak? I do a lot of walking (and shoveling) in the snow and slush here in the winter. Basically I'd like to know if I'll regret standing in 6 inches of snow for a few minutes in the cork ones or should I seriously consider the rubber ones or some more hardcore work boots.

If you proof the uppers properly, the standard Katahdins will do just fine. I suggest welt-seal and sno-seal but others will chime in with their goop of choice. The only strike against the cork sole is that it has pretty poor traction. By the way, both soles are rubber. The cork sole (Vibram #475) is Nitrile with cork fibers while the Montagna lug-sole (VIbram #132) is an all-rubber compound. Both will be useless on ice, but the lug-sole on the waterproof version will have much more bite in snow and mud. It'll also pick up a lot more dirt than the cork sole. It really depends on how you plan to use them.

Hey guys, total noob to the thread here, so maybe this is common knowledge already. I'm from Maine so I pop into the LL Bean flagship store pretty often. Today in the shoe department, right above the standard Katahdin Iron Works Boots was a boot I'd never seen before. They looked like the standard boot but finished in a beautiful supple "Cordovan" (color only) leather. I asked about them and the employee said they were brand new to the store. I asked if they were exclusive to LL Bean and she said "no", so I'm assuming they are a part of the new Chippewa collection. The price was $220. I can't find said boots online, but as someone who has been looking at Wolverine 1ks and Chippewa Service Boots, I think I will probably buy these ASAP and see how they are.

I ended up wanting black flat laces on my GQs-- I had these 40" laces (in black) on hand and they work well. I don't thread them through the top set of eyelets (above the quick-lace things). These 39ers from AllenEdmunds would likely be great: $1.50 w/ free shipping.

Hey guys, total noob to the thread here, so maybe this is common knowledge already. I'm from Maine so I pop into the LL Bean flagship store pretty often. Today in the shoe department, right above the standard Katahdin Iron Works Boots was a boot I'd never seen before. They looked like the standard boot but finished in a beautiful supple "Cordovan" (color only) leather. I asked about them and the employee said they were brand new to the store. I asked if they were exclusive to LL Bean and she said "no", so I'm assuming they are a part of the new Chippewa collection. The price was $220. I can't find said boots online, but as someone who has been looking at Wolverine 1ks and Chippewa Service Boots, I think I will probably buy these ASAP and see how they are.

But logoless and 50 dollars cheaper! Thread color on the welt is also different. Wonder what other differences there are...

Yep, bl@ster I don't know if you remember me from the Chippewa thread but I was considering a pair of those Service boots. Got these instead and I love them. Like I said above, I'll post pictures soon.